Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 15, 2025

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

The domain flashmates.tech is owned and operated by Flashmates, which is incorporated in the United States as Flashmates, Inc. and in India as Flashmates Private Limited (collectively referred to as "Flashmates," "we," "us," or "our").

This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our real estate technology platform and services. By using Flashmates, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

  • Account Information: First name, last name, email address, phone number, and password
  • Profile Information: Profile photo, bio, preferences, and verification documents
  • Property Listings: Property details, addresses, descriptions, photos, rent/price information, and amenities
  • Communication Data: Messages exchanged through our chat system, inquiries, and support communications
  • Payment Information: Billing details processed through our payment partners (Razorpay, Stripe, PayU)
  • Search and Tracking Preferences: Your property search criteria and saved preferences

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

  • Usage Data: Pages viewed, features used, time spent on platform, and interaction patterns
  • Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
  • Location Data: Approximate location based on IP address and precise location if you grant permission
  • Cookies and Tracking: We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience
  • Analytics: We use Firebase Analytics and Google Analytics to understand platform usage

2. How We Use Your Information

  • Service Delivery: To provide, maintain, and improve our platform and services
  • Property Matching: To connect property seekers with property owners and listers
  • Communication: To facilitate messages between users and send important notifications
  • Personalization: To customize your experience and provide relevant property recommendations
  • Payment Processing: To process transactions and manage subscriptions
  • Security: To protect against fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access
  • Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations
  • Analytics: To analyze platform usage and improve our services
  • Customer Support: To respond to your inquiries and provide assistance

3. How We Share Your Information

  • With Other Users: Property listings and associated contact information are visible to interested users
  • Service Providers: We share data with Firebase (database and authentication), Razorpay, Stripe, PayU (payment processing), Resend (email services), Google Maps (location services), and AI services (property recommendations)
  • Business Transfers: In connection with mergers, acquisitions, or sale of assets
  • Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government regulation
  • Protection of Rights: To enforce our terms, protect our rights, or ensure user safety
  • With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize us to share your information

We will never:

  • Sell your personal information to third parties
  • Share your information for third-party marketing without your consent

4. Email Communications

  • We will never send unsolicited marketing emails
  • If you post a listing, you will receive email notifications when someone responds or chats with you
  • You will receive transactional emails related to your account and listings
  • You can manage email preferences in your account settings
  • You cannot opt out of essential service-related emails

5. Data Storage and Security

  • We use Firebase Realtime Database and Firestore to store your data
  • Images and files are stored in Firebase Storage
  • Data is encrypted in transit using SSL/TLS
  • We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information
  • Access to personal data is restricted to authorized personnel only
  • We regularly review and update our security practices
  • No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security

6. Data Retention

  • We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active
  • Property listings remain visible until you remove them or your account is deleted
  • Chat messages are retained for the duration of your account
  • After account deletion, we may retain certain information for legal compliance and legitimate business purposes
  • Anonymized data may be retained indefinitely for analytics purposes

7. Your Rights and Choices

  • Access: Request access to your personal information
  • Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your account and associated data
  • Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
  • Restriction: Request limitation of processing your personal information
  • Objection: Object to processing of your personal information
  • Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

  • We use cookies to maintain your session, remember preferences, and analyze usage
  • You can control cookies through your browser settings
  • Disabling cookies may limit functionality of the platform
  • We use Google Analytics to understand how users interact with our platform

9. Third-Party Services

Our platform integrates with third-party services. Each has its own privacy policy:

10. Children's Privacy

  • Our services are not directed to individuals under 18 years of age
  • We do not knowingly collect information from children
  • If we discover we have collected information from a child, we will delete it promptly

11. International Data Transfers

  • Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own
  • We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers
  • By using our services, you consent to such transfers

12. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:

  • Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
  • Right to delete personal information
  • Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
  • Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights

13. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation including:

  • Right to access and receive a copy of your personal data
  • Right to rectification of inaccurate data
  • Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
  • Right to restrict processing
  • Right to data portability
  • Right to object to processing
  • Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

  • We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time
  • We will notify you of material changes by email or through the platform
  • Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance
  • We encourage you to review this policy periodically

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

  • Email: privacy@flashmates.tech
  • For US inquiries: Flashmates, Inc.
  • For India inquiries: Flashmates Private Limited

16. Consent

By using Flashmates, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described herein.